Daniel Ricciardo makes PERFECT begin to new Formula One season
- Daniel Ricciardo completed prime after first observe in Bahrain
- The Australian surprisingly confirmed tempo on Friday
- Max Verstappen was annoyed after the primary operating
Daniel Ricciardo was the shock title on the prime of the time sheet in Formula One’s first observe session of the brand new season in Bahrain.
The Australian – driving for the newly rebranded RB crew – noticed off Lando Norris by simply 0.032 seconds, with Oscar Piastri third within the different McLaren.
Max Verstappen, who complained concerning the dealing with of his Red Bull all through the one-hour observe session, completed sixth, with George Russell seventh and Lewis Hamilton ninth for Mercedes.
Verstappen heads into the curtain raiser right here within the Gulf kingdom because the favorite to assert a fourth consecutive world championship.
But the Dutch driver appeared unsettled within the opening operating at a gusty Sakhir circuit.
Daniel Ricciardo completed prime of observe in Bahrain forward of the primary grand prix
The Australian confirmed excellent tempo within the early runnings on Friday
‘Everything is s***,’ he yelled over the radio. ‘Like miles off.’
Ricciardo was dropped by McLaren on the finish of 2022, however was handed a lifeline by Red Bull’s junior crew halfway by final season.
And though occasions in testing must be handled with warning because the groups trial various gasoline masses – certainly Ricciardo set his speediest lap on the softest tyre compound – RB might show a shock package deal. Ricciardo’s team-mate Yuki Tsunoda completed fourth, three tenths again.
Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso took fifth spot and was the primary of the drivers to not use the delicate compound. Verstappen, Russell, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc – who completed eighth – and Hamilton additionally didn’t publish a lap on the speediest rubber.
Reigning world champion Max Verstappen reduce a annoyed determine on the primary day
Hamilton completed 4 tenths off Ricciardo, however the Mercedes camp are quietly optimistic that they might have the pace to carry out on the sharp finish.
At the opposite finish of the grid, Alpine and Haas propped up the order with Nico Hulkenberg final of the 20 runners, 5 seconds off the tempo.
The second observe session of the day takes place at 6pm native time (3pm GMT) and is extra consultant of the circumstances the drivers will face in Friday’s qualifying and Saturday’s race.
